Our research program uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the complex mechanisms of natural product biosynthesis. Structurally complex natural products, such as the medicinally relevant antibiotics vancomycin and erthromycin, are biosynthesized by large, macromolecular enzyme assemblies. These assemblies frequently orchestrate difficult and interesting chemical transformations to construct diverse molecular scaffolds. A detailed understanding of the biosynthesis of natural products can be applied to the development of new synthetic methodology and to the engineering of biological systems to produce novel compounds with desired biological/therapeutic properties.

   
   
 

We use the tools of synthetic organic chemistry, enzymology and structural biology to dissect the mechanism of these systems. Similar methodology is being used to examine post-synthetic steps in natural product biosynthesis. These late tailoring steps often involve unusual and novel chemistry and impart functionality necessary for potent biological activity. Rational manipulation of these tailoring enzymes or utilization as synthetic tools represents an attractive approach toward production of useful drug analogs or libraries of small molecules.
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Designed and maintained by E. N. Fielding